SPRING CLEANING

Today marks the beginning of Lent. I am no longer a practicing Catholic but have still challenged myself the last 3 years. My household is also challenging themselves and came up with the name "Spring Cleaning". We are keeping up the challenge through Easter Sunday, but the idea is to continue with the new practice as much as you can. Two years ago it was red meat and although I started up after Easter the amount was much less. Last year it was High Fructose Corn Syrup and I managed to stop drinking it with the rare exception. What am I giving up this year? Along with previously quitting fast food, I will be abstaining from alcohol, caffeine, white flour, white rice,  processed sugar, white potatoes, butter, salt and limiting my intake of cheese. This was inspired by the "No White Diet". After reading multiple articles and seeing the rules change depending on the source, I realized I could make my own rules. Salt is undoubtedly going to be my biggest challenge. I LOVE it. I put it on everything. I mean, it's the easiest way to bring out flavor. Fortunately, it's not the only way. Today I sauteed onions and garlic in olive oil and threw in a variety of veggies, brown rice and an egg. I topped it with avocado, black pepper, cayenne and red pepper flakes and unsalted tuna. No salt and it was amazing! I have a feeling I will be sauteing a lot of garlic and onions in the next 40 days. Salt is required to make bread so I am going to allow myself a small portion of whole wheat bread should the occasion arise. Alcohol will be the next biggest challenge. I love to go out and like many people, suffer a mild case of social anxiety causing me to head to the bar before the dance floor. In all honesty, I'm a great dancer and really don't need anything but it's a mental crutch nonetheless. Good bye Bloody Marys = ( Between this new dietary improvement and daily physical activity, I hope to not only get the body I always seem to be on the brink of acquiring before losing it to a Friday Night, but to clear my mind and spirit of toxic and unnecessary energy. 


Have you thought about a Spring Cleaning? It's your life and your rules. Every positive change is a step in the right direction. It doesn't have to be on the new year or Lent, but whenever you feel it should happen. The feeling you get from knowing you can do anything you put your mind and heart to makes the cravings worth it. And if you slip, because sometimes we do, just know that every time you didn't do it was better than when you did and try again tomorrow.